Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday that current contributions to the European Union’s maritime mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea remain insufficient. Therefore, the safe passage of commercial vessels through the region cannot be guaranteed.
Crosetto’s remarks came after his meeting in Rome with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. He welcomed the decision by some member states participating in the Aspidis mission to provide additional resources. However, he stressed that these steps were not yet sufficient.
Rome demands increased participation
Crosetto said the additional resources some member states have decided to provide are a positive step. He did not specify which countries. However, he stressed that current contributions are insufficient to guarantee the safety of commercial shipping.
Italy had urged its allies last month to increase their participation in the mission. It also announced its readiness to deploy its own ships to avoid delays associated with the decision-making process within the European Union.
Aspidis needs more than 10 ships
Callas said last month that Operation Aspidis requires more than 10 warships to effectively carry out its mission. Diplomats, however, reported that six warships are currently deployed as part of the operation.
The European Union launched Operation Aspidis in 2024 with the aim of protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthi group in Yemen. This comes amid frequent disruptions affecting shipping in the region.
New complications for navigation
The Italian demands come at a time when regional shipping is facing increasing challenges. In recent weeks, the Houthis have made rapid gains along the Red Sea coast, according to Reuters. This has further complicated maritime traffic.
These developments coincide with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping traffic has declined sharply amid the conflict between the United States and Iran. As a result, pressure has increased on vital waterways in the region.
Source: Voice of Emirates
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